Graduating college during the pandemic was definitely a challenge I had to overcome. I experienced a lack of human connection and didn’t know how others were navigating these difficult times. When the world started to feel a little safer, I decided to get involved in Allentown’s community. I knew the pandemic caused a lack of services and resources around the world, but I had no idea where to begin to make an impact.

At the time, a friend of mine from high school was running the Art Therapy program here at Ripple Community Inc (RCI). She would post updates about what members were working on and I wanted to learn more right away. Going to school for art while experiencing the last year of chaos that we all collectively went through (and still are) I wanted to get involved with anything that centered around art and helping others. We set up a time for me to take a tour of Community Building Center and I started regularly volunteering from then on.

This past year has been spent getting to know our community members and all the resources Allentown does have to offer. Before actively getting involved in Allentown’s Community I was oblivious to what resources were out there and the severity of people who needed access to those resources. I have learned so much in my small amount of time here and most of what I learned is through spending time with our members and understanding that everyone just wants to feel seen and safe. That’s exactly the purpose of RCI in my eyes. Yes, we provide health services and other necessities of survival, but creating a safe space for people to be seen and heard is what allows people to truly thrive and not just survive.

I’m so grateful to have found my place here at Ripple Community Inc, and I never thought volunteering a few times a month would influence not only a career change, but my perspective as well. I am now doing an AmeriCorps service year here at the Community Building Center and this community will always be the stepping stone in my journey.